The Gelsenkirchen starlet saw German international stopper Manuel Neuer vilified for a similar move in 2011 but he refuses to definitively reject any possibility

Uncertain: Draxler's future plans remain very much up in the air and in his hands (Photo: Getty)

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Arsenal target Julian Draxler has dealt the Gunners a potential blow to their summer transfer plans by saying that he can't rule out joining Bayern Munich - in a manner similar to current German No.1 Manuel Neuer.

Draxler was a youth team prospect with Schalke when Neuer was making a name for himself in the first-team, and looked on as the goalkeeper was continually forced to reject links between himself and Bayern.

However, following five years as No.1 with Die Konigsblauen, Neuer left supporters (of both sides) unhappy as he made an £18.3million move to Bavaria.

And now 20-year-old Draxler has declared that it would be foolish to dismiss a similar scenario potentially happening to himself.

“Look at what happened with Manuel Neuer," he told German newspaper WAZ.

"He was 100 percent convinced that he would never join FC Bayern but, after having played as a pro for five years, time made him change his opinion.

“I also can’t say what I will think in five or six or maybe even 10 years.

"And when you rule something out entirely and you end up playing where most people don’t want you to be, the outcry is huge."

"I prolonged my contract because I feel fine here and the long-term deal shows the appreciation and popularity I enjoy at Schalke," added the midfielder.

"It’s no secret that I have a release clause and therefore have the opportunity to consider what is best for my development every year.

"Of course, the clause leaves a lot of room for speculation, but it is also good for both sides.

"It’s good for Schalke because the club does not have to let go of me on the cheap and, in their worst-case scenario, they would still get a lot of money for me.

"And for me it’s good because I can make my own decision if a club decides to pay 45 million euros for me and I want a new challenge."

Draxler's words come just days after Bayern's general manager Matthias Sammer refused to rule out the European champions interest in the Schalke No.10, telling Bild: "I will never rule out the best for the club."